Most people know of Bruno Mars.
He?s a multi-platinum, award-winning artist that is currently one of the biggest stars in the world of music. However, what people may not realize is exactly how he got his name.
Born Peter Gene Hernandez, Mars was given the nickname of ?Bruno? by his father because he was known to be chunky as a young child. But why specifically was ?Bruno? the name chosen?
Well, that?s because his father was a fan of professional wrestling, and had a certain favorite wrestler. That man was WWE Hall of Famer and wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino.
On Tuesday, Mars finally had the opportunity to meet that man that was the source of the name millions of people would come to know him by. Mars performed at the PPG Paints Arena in the city Sammartino calls home, Pittsburgh.
?I was nicknamed after this professional wrestler Bruno Sammartino,? Mars said in a post on Instagram. ?Tonight, I had the honor of meeting him.?
Mars was also presented with a replica WWWF (World Wide Wrestling Federation) Championship according to WPXI in Pittsburgh. The WWWF lasted from 1963 to 1979 before it became known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) after current Chairman Vincent K. McMahon took over the company from his father.
Sammartino, 81, added that he was impressed with Mars, and that he was a very humble and respectful man.